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Updated: May 13, 2026

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
02:34

Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: May 10, 2024

Effect of Azithromycin in Addition to Inhaled Corticosteroids in Severe Preschool Wheeze: A Retrospective Cohort

Meryl Dumenil1, Julien Grosjean2, Laure Couderc1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, University Rouen Normandie, Dynamicure INSERM UMR 1311, CHU Rouen, Rouen, France.

Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|May 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Azithromycin may help control severe preschool wheeze when inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are insufficient. This retrospective study showed reduced symptoms and exacerbations in children treated with azithromycin, suggesting its potential as an add-on therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Preschool wheeze is a prevalent condition with limited therapeutic options.
  • Current standard treatment relies mainly on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
  • Severe cases often remain uncontrolled despite high-dose ICS therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of long-term azithromycin as an additional therapy for severe preschool wheeze.
  • To assess outcomes in children with severe wheeze uncontrolled by high-dose ICS.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center, retrospective study included 38 children under 6 years old.
  • Participants had severe recurrent wheeze, uncontrolled by high-dose ICS.
  • Azithromycin was administered three times weekly for 6 months as maintenance treatment.

Main Results:

  • A significant improvement in wheeze control was observed.
  • A decrease in exacerbations and daily respiratory symptoms was noted.
  • Reduced daily ICS dosage and no major adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions:

  • Azithromycin shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for young children with persistent asthma and frequent exacerbations.
  • Further validation through controlled prospective studies is necessary.
  • This finding suggests a potential new therapeutic avenue for difficult-to-treat preschool wheeze.
Abstract

Keywords:
AzithromycinPreschool wheezeSevere preschool wheezeUncontrolled asthma

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